December 11th, 2008 
Arn Says shortage may become national security concern
By Veronica Uy
The US government has issued a directive to relax visa procedures for foreign nurses after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acknowledged the acute shortage of the health care professionals there.
The directive, Processing of “Schedule A” Nurse Visas, which can be accessed at http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/downloads/CIS_Ombudsman_Schedule_A.pdf, released on December 5, noted that “visa availability” remains the main obstacle for foreign nurses seeking work in the US, whether they intend to become immigrants or not.
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman of the DHS, which released the directive, said that while the Department of Labor (DoL) has already allowed employers to bypass the first step in the hiring process, it enjoins the USCIS to adjust its procedures as well.
“Specifically the USCIS should separate and prioritize, as well as centralize, its process for [Schedule A] applications in accordance with Congress’ expressed concern over the national nursing shortage and to ensure consistent adjudication of applications,” it said. (more…)
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